Metal casting mechanism



Dec. 3, 1940. w; T. JANNEY 2,223,370

METAL CASTING MECHAIIISM Filed April 6, 1959 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Lu V/[IIIIIII/ I III I .Tllll/ Illll:/ W MI raj- 6 iii Q all/id y}: I

INVENTOR Dec. 3, 1940. w JANNEY METAL CASTING MECHANISM- Filed April 6, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3 1940. w. T. JANNEY' METAL CASTING MECHANISM Filed April 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 SUPPLY INVENTOR 11174 7.5 'Z'Jknwsx ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, l940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL CASTING MECHANISM Walter T. Janney, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application April 6, 1939, Serial No. 266,247

18 Claims. (01. 22-65) The presr-nt invention relates to metal casting mechanism and more particularly to a centrifugal machine for making tubular castings.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide an improved centrifugal casting machine; to provide a machine for producing tubular castings of a relatively small internal diameter with an exactness and accuracy not heretofore attained in the art; to provide a centrifugal casting machine wherein uniform thickness of metal in the mold is obtained; to provide an improved means for holding a mold in a casting machine whereby accurate centering and alinement of the mold is maintained at all times;

to provide a novel means for locking a mold in a centrifugal casting machine so that it cannot be displaced or released by the developed internal pressure; to provide a yielding force means for holding a centrifugal mold so as to maintain a substantialy uniform load on the bearings of the rotatable parts; to provide automatic means for stopping the motor of a centrifugal casting machine during a casting operation should the internal mold pressure become so excessive as to overload the motor; to provide an improved linkage for supporting and manipulating centrifugal casting machines; to provide means for swinging the castingunit of a centrifugal machine in such a manner that a positive'rigid support is maintained in all operative positions of the unit; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a casting machine embodying one form of the present invention, the

casting unit being shown in horizontal position;

Fig. 2 represents a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the machine with the casting unit swung to a vertical position;

Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

the supporting structure for the casting unit being omitted; Fig. 5 represents a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 represents an elevation of the receiving end of the casting unit, partly broken away and omitting the supporting base and associated parts; Fig. 7 represents an elevation of the opposite end of the unit as shown in Fig.

6; Fig. 8 represents a sectional detail on an enlarged scale of one of the hydraulic cylinders and related structure; and Fig. 9 represents a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, one form of the present invention consists of a housing l0, pref- 65 erably of cylindrical shape, provided at one end with a pouring spout l I for introducing the metal into a mold l2 which is operatively supported between a cope l3 and a rotatively driven drag I l. The sprue diameter of the cope I3 is always appreciably less than mold diameter as will be 5 seen and understood. Access to the housing I0 is had through a door If: which is properly located with respect to the cope l3 and drag N that the mold l2 can be conveniently lowered into place for a molding operation and removed 10 therefrom following the completion of that operation. The door I5 has hinge butts I6 keyed or otherwise made fast to a rock rod ll journalled in v bearings l8 of the housing l0 and projecting beyond the rear plate 20 to be connected to a crank 15 arm 2|. One end of the crank arm 21 is keyed to the rod H and its opposite end pivotally joins the end of a hydraulic cylinder 22 under control of a plunger 23. The pressure medium reaches the cylinder 22 from a suitable source and can be 20 controlled according to requirements. Thus whenthe pressure medium is admitted to the cylinder 22 the reaction with the plunger 23 causes the cylinder 22 to move in the direction to swing the crank arm 2! and rock the rod I! to 25 open the door IS. The mold [2 held by tongs suspended from a crane, or by other suitable equipment, can now be lowered into its proper position within the housing H].

For supporting the cope I3 for rotation, and 30 in a manner to efficiently distribute bearing strains, it has a portion 24 tapered to simultaneously engage a plurality of angularly disposed complementally tapered roller supports 25. These supports 25 are respectively mounted on 35 pins 26 which are so angularly disposed that the respective axes meet at a common point in the axis of the housing Ill. and with which the axis of the cope I3 is coincident. As shown ball race bearings 21 mount the supports 25 and thus sup- 40 port and retain the cope 63 in operative position, while the pins 26 are fast to a rigid front plate 28.

For rotating the mold I2 its end, opposite from the cope I 3, enters the drag M which is driven by a motor 29 designed to rotate at high speed 45 and to that end the means for holding the mold must be such as. not to overload the bearings, and at the same time ensure the mold being held with suflicient pressure to resist a forcing apart of the cope and drag by the internal pressureao within the mold. As shown the motor 29 is carried by a bracket 30 forming part of a reciprocable saddle 3| centrally supporting bearings 32 for the rotatable shaft 33 of the drag M.

In order to shift the drag 14 towards and away I 30 the head 34 at the opposite end from the flange from the mold I2 and also to locate it in sucha locked position that internal mold pressure'c'annot dislodge or release the mold, the opposite ends of the saddle 3| heads 34, and since these and associated parts are identical, but one will be described though the same reference numerals will be applied to like parts inboth.

The tubular head 34 fits about and receives a sleeve 35 but is internally of larger diameter for a portion of its length to receive the comple mentally larger diameter of the sleeve. The construction is such that an annular chamber 38 is formed between the two parts and which space communicates with the atmosphere by way of a pipe 31 under control of a combined supply and pressure relief valve 38. Cup leathers 39 are secured in the space 36 to seal the joints between moving parts and prevent leakage. It should be noted that the sleeve 35 is sufliciently longer than the head 34 to provide a clearance 43 between the end of the head 34 and a flange 4| of the sleeve 35. This tion to the opening relation between the cope l3 and the drag l4 after the mold has been placed imposition as will presentlyappear. For transmitting motion of the sleeve 35 to the saddle head 34 to release the drag |4Uwhen required, 'a flange nut 42 is threaded on the sleeve 35 toabut As a meansfor moving the sleeve 35 axially as required it is recessed at one end to seat a pair of dogs 43 which are inset into the thickened end portion of a cylinder 44 and fastened thereto by cap screws 45. The cylinder 44 is arranged to slide in a guide column 46 which is provided with two axially disposed slots 4'5 in registering rela-' tion respectively with the dogs 43 so that the latter with the'attached sleeve 35 can have the required axial movement necessary for the purpose intended. A piston 48 is fixed in position wit in the cylinder 44 being clamped to the sho dered end of a tubular piston rod 50 by a nut 5|. box 52 and projects from the guide column 46 where it is supported in a yoke 53 bolted to the rear plate 20 of the housing Hi. This plate 28 also supports the end ofv the column 46 being fixed thereto by a nut 54. The piston rod 50 provides an axial duct 54 which receives a hydraulic pressure medium from an exterior source connected to the inlet end ,55. Thus a medium under pressure can be admitted through the duct 54 against the closed to move the latter to the left as seen in Fig. 8. A

. combined feed and exhaust valve 51 is arranged in the pipe line supplying ,the pressure medium to the duct 54 in order that the pressure can be released when it becomes necessary to release the mold. This reverse movement of the cylinder 44 is controlled by a hydraulic pressure medium admitted through pipe 58 and port 60 to the space 6| on the opposite side of the piston 48 from the end 56. A combined feed and exhaust valve 62 is located in the pipe 58 to control the cylinder movement, namely to relieve pressure when the cylinder is to move under pressure through the duct 54, and to admit'pressure fluid when the cylinder is to be moved to unlocked position.

For the purpose of swinging the housing ID from a horizontal to a vertical position, or any intermediate position, during a casting operation, trunnions 63 are provided adjacent the end of are formed with. tubular tending parallel to each clearance 40 bears a direct .rela- The rod 55 passes through a stufling end 56 of the cylinder 44 since the cope l3 the housing ||l which carries the pouring spout H and are journalled in bearings respectively disposed on two standards 64 which rise from and are rigidly fastened to a rectangular base'frame 65. At opposite sides of the opposite end of the base frame 65 there are mounted two hydraulic cylinders 66 respectively carrying bifurcated cross heads 61 arranged to travel on track guide 68 exother lengthwise of the base frame .65. The cross heads 81 are inter-connected by a bar 10 which extends transversely of the frame base 65 and serves as a fulcrum for two links ll, the upper ends of which are respectively pivoted to pins 12 laterally projecting from a yoke 13 joined to and supporting the housing Ill. The point of support for the saddle 13 with respect to the housing ends is such as to reduce vibration of the machine to a minimum.

The operation ofthe machine is as follows: In order to place the mold 2 in the machine, hydraulic pressure is admitted to the cylinder 22 which is thus caused to swing crank arm 2| and thereby rock the rod ll in the direction required to open the door I5. The mold l2, which is preferably suspended from a crane, is lowered into the machine to take a position between the cope l3 and the drag l4 and approximately co-axial therewith. Fluid under pressure is now introduced through the ducts 54 from the sourcepipes 55 and since the valves 62 are now open to the exhaust the cylinders 44 will move to shift the sleeves 35 and associated saddle heads 34 in the direction to cause the saddle 3| to bring the drag l4 into engagement with the end of the mold l2. In this way a firm contact is had with the end of the mold and with the mold pressed into the cope I3, the saddle 3| can move no further except by compressing the fluid in chamber 36. Since the pressure in the ducts 54 is much greater than that which is supplied through the pipes 317, the sleeves 35 can now move relative to the heads 34 and thus open spaces respectively between the nuts 42 and the heads 34 therebyleaving the saddle 3| and heads 34 subject to the con trol of the hydraulic pressure in the chamber 36, this latter being responsive to the reactionary force coming from the cope |3. This relative motion is allowed to proceed until the width of the chambers 36 is reduced by approximately onehalf. The valves 62 are now closed to both the source of pressure and the exhaust and the source of pressure through the ducts 54 is also shut oif so that thesleeves 35 are locked in place. Under this condition the possible movement-of the saddle 3| is limited by the annular spaces 40 and and drag M are designed to each enclose a mold by an amount in excess of the distance permitted to remain between the saddle heads 34 and the flanges 4| (namely the reduced spaces 40) it follows that the cope I3 and the drag |4 cannot be forced apart by internal pressures. suflicient distance to release the mold during the period of rotation when metal is being .poured. Now that the mold I2 is in place the be reduced. Should the molten metal attempt to force a passage between the drag or the cope l3, the added pressure would shift the saddle heads 34 and thereby close the spaces 40 and bring the heads 34 against the respective flanges 4| to produce a braking action so that an excessive load would be thrown on the bearings thence to the motor and so overload the motor circuit as to cause the circuit breaker to stop the motor. At this time the door I5 can be closed by admitting the pressure medium into the cylinder 22 as will be understood. With the housing closed the pressure medium is admitted to the cylinders 66 to actuate the cross-heads G1 and thus swing the housing about the trunnions 63 to a position angular with respect to the horizontal, such position being determined by experience as the one giving the best results. The motor 29 is now operating to cause the mold I2 to rotate at a high rate of speed. It maybe noted that the.

motor 29 is specially designed to provide a variable change in speed and the selected speed for a casting operation is adjusted so that the centrifugal force produced is that required to make a satisfactory casting in the particular mold that is being used. As soon as the mold has acquired the required speed of rotation, molten metal, the weight of which has been carefully gauged, is poured through the spout II into the mold I2. When the metal has solidified the motor circuit is opened to stop themotor 29 and the housing Ill brought to a horizontal position to allow the door l5 to open so that the mold l2 can be removed. It should also be noted that the circuit of the motor 29 includes an overload circuit breaker but as this is a wellzknown type of protective equipment it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate it here.

While but one size mold I2 has been shown it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this respect. Changes in external size of casting is usually accomplished bychanging the internal diameter of the mold, that is molds having. different internal diameters are available, and the amount of metal poured-into the mold can be regulated accordingly. Furthermore the relatively long slots 48 allow sufficient saddle movement to ensure molds of different length being effectively held according to requirements. Furthermore the relation between the pivotal support for the housing, the operating supports for the housing, and the hydraulic power operating means is such that not only are the operating supports rigidly supported independently of the pressure medium in all effective positions of the housing, but there can be no position of the housingin which the operating support and power means can assume a dead center position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A casting machine comprising devices for respectively engaging the opposite ends of a mold to clamp said mold between them, pressure fluid means 'for moving said devices towards and away from each other, means for introducing material to be cast into said mold while held by said devices, means for causing said devices to rotate said mold, an incompressible fluid lock for said devices including means yieldable under pressure developed within said mold, and means to limit said yielding action by a predetermined amount.

2. A casting machine comprising devices for respectively engaging the opposite ends of a mold to clamp said mold between them, oneof said devices comprising a rotatable mold-supporting cope, a plurality of journalled inclined pins hav-.

ing axes meeting at a point on the axis of said cope, roller supports respectively mounted on said pins and having peripheral edges bearing against said cope, means limiting axial movement of said cope relative to said supports, pressure fluid means for moving said devices towards and away from each other, means for introducing material to be cast into said mold while held by said devices, means for causing said devices to rotate said mold, and a pressure fluid lock for retaining said devices in clamping position during a casting operation.

3. A casting machine comprising devices for respectively engaging the opposite ends of a mold to clamp said mold between them, means for moving said devices towards and away from each other, means for introducing material to be cast into said mold while held by said devices, a motor arranged to actuate said devices to rotate said mold, and fluid pressure means to limit the separating movement of said devices under pressure within said mold so that said mold cannot be released while rotating.

' 4. A casting machine comprising a housing having a. controlled access opening for a mold and a pouring spout at one end communicating with the interior thereof, a cope coaxially located with respect to the discharge of said spout and arranged to receive an end of a mold in leak proof relation, a drag for engaging the other end of said mold, hydraulic controlled means for moving said drag into and out of engaging relation with said mold, means for rotating said mold during a casting operation, and means to lock said drag in engaging relation with said mold, said locking means being arranged to yield under excessive mold pressure but insufficient to release said mold.

5. In a casting machine a housing, centrifugal cast-ing mechanism in said housing including a means for holding a mold, means to introduce molten metal into said mold, a pivotal support for one end of said housing, operating supports attached to said housing out of horizontal alinement with said support for swinging said housing about said pivotal support, and power operated means connected to said operating supports and movable linearly to move said operating supports from one side of said pivotal support to the other side.

6. A centrifugal casting machine including a housing for the casting mechanism, means including trunnions for supporting said housing ad jacent one end' on a horizontal axis, a yoke attached to said housing between said supporting means and the opposite end of said housing, operating arms pivoted respectively to the ends of said yoke, a base, a bar arranged to ride on said base, pivot means interconnecting said arms and bar, and means actuated by a pressure medium for causing said bar to travel in a direction to swing said housing about said horizontal axis, whereby said parts are free of a dead center position at any time.

7. A centrifugal casting machine including a housing for the casting means, means mounting said housing for tilting action, power operated 6 4 housing" for the casting means, means mounting said housing for tilting actions, means including a pressure medium for tilting said housing, interconnected crossheads, fixed tracks for supporting said crossheads for movement in a horizontal plane below said housing, pivotal connections forming a rigid support between said crossheads and said housing, and power means for reciproeating saidcrossheads. v

9. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a pair of relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said mold ther'ebetween, actuating means for causing a predetermined clamping relation of said clamping means, and yielding means responsive to pressure tending to separate said supports to maintain spective ends of a mold, means operatively asso-' ciated with said supports for clamping said mold therebetween, pressure fluid control means for causing and maintaining a clamping relation of said clamping means, and means including a pressure fluid relief independent of said control means for securing separation of said supports a predetermined amount under pressure developed during a casting operation.

12. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a pair of relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said mold therebetween, pressure fluid control means for causing and maintaining a clamping relation of said clamping means, and means to permit said supports to separate a distance less than required to release said mold under pressure developed during a casting operation While maintaining said clamping relation.

13. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a pair of relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said mold th'erebetween, a servo-motor for actuating said clamping means, means tolock said servo-motor in clamping position, and a yieldable connection between said servo-motor and said clamping means operable in locked position of said servomotor, whereby said clamping means can automatically compensate for pressures: developed during a casting operation.

I 14. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a pair of relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said mold therebetween, pressure fluid control means for causing and maintaining a clamping relation of said' clamping means, and means including a pressure fluid relief for securing separation of said supports a predetermined amount under pressure developed during a casting operation.

-devices in clamping relation during- 15. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a pair of relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, means journalling 'flrst mentioned means during predetermined separation of said supports caused by mold pressures tending to separate said supports.

16. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a supporting ,frame, a pair of journalled relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, an electric motor coupled to one such support through its journal, means for guiding said motor journal and coupled support as a unit on said frame, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said molds between them with the 'motor in driving relation thereto, actuating means for causing a predetermined clamping pressure relation of said clamping means and said journals, yielding means between the frame and said unit responsive to predetermined pressures from the mold tending to separate said supports to maintain predetermined pressures on said journals during separation of the supports. 17. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a supporting frame, a pair of journalled relatively movable supports for the respective ends of a mold, an electric motor coupled to one such support through its journal, means for guiding said motor journal and coupled. support as a.

unit on said frame, an overload circuit breaker in the motor circuit, means operatively associated with said supports for clamping said molds between them with the motor in driving relation thereto, actuating means for causing a predetermined clamping pressure relation of said clamping means and said journals, yielding means between the frame and said unit responsive to predetermined pressures from the mold tending to separate said supports to maintain predetermined pressures on said journals dur-' ing separation of the supports and so arranged that in. response to a second predetermined pres sure from the mold the increasedpressure on the' journals causes actuation of the said overload circuit breaker to stop the said motor.

18. A casting machine comprising devices for respectively engaging the opposite ends of a mold to clamp said mold between them, pressure fluid means for moving said devices towards and away from each other, journals for said devices, means including a motor for causing said' devices to rotate said mold, an overload circuit breaker for said motor, a fluid control for retaining said a castin operation, said control having the flyid under a pressure resisting release of said devices under normal limited operating pressures within said mold and for preventing the imposition of .excessive'stresses upon said journals, and means responsive to an abnormal pressure in said mold forpermitting the excessive pressures to be imposed on said journals to actuate said circuit breaker to stop said motor.

WALTER T. JANNEY. 

